Dundalk 'keeper joins Meath backroom team

Dundalk FC netminder Gary Rogers has been brought into the Meath senior football backroom team as goalkeeping coach.

Navan man Rogers - who has featured on Republic of Ireland soccer squads under Martin O'Neill - replaces the departing Cormac Sullivan in Andy McEntee's think tank, according to The Irish Independent.

Rogers' first love was gaelic football and he is a member of the St Ultan’s club, whom he helped to the Meath JFC in 2000 as an outfield player. He won an All-Ireland junior medal with Meath in 2003 and was on the senior squad in 2000 (as an 18-year-old under Sean Boylan) and 2006. Under Colm Coyle in ’06, while he was briefly between clubs in soccer, Rogers togged out at centre half forward against Cavan in the national league and was goalkeeper against Antrim the following week!

The 37-year-old understandably put his professional soccer career first, though, and has gone on to make more than 500 League of Ireland appearances for eight different clubs over 19 seasons, winning his fourth league medal with Dundalk this year to add to three FAI Cup souvenirs. He has also played in the Europe League and Champions League.

Rogers previously served Meath as goalkeeping coach at minor level and was also brought in by Terry Hyland to assist Cavan’s seniors in the same role.

Another addition to the Meath backroom team ahead of the 2019 season is former Louth goalkeeper Colm Nally, who replaces Gerry MeEntee as coach. Nally, who represented Dublin at minor and U21 level, has coaching experience with the Wee County and has managed St Colmcille's in Meath as well as Castleknock in Dublin.